contender

noun

kən-ˈten-dər How to pronounce contender (audio)
Definition of contendernext
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1
as in candidate
one who seeks an office, honor, position, or award a strong contender for the mayoral position

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in competitor
one who strives for the same thing as another several contenders competing for the title of the city's best Italian restaurant

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of contender The series has been a success, topping Max’s rankings and growing its viewership each week while also emerging as a leading Emmy contender. — Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 11 Apr. 2025 McCann still held a double-digit lead over Aguirre going into the weekend, but both candidates were far ahead of the race’s five other contenders. — Maura Fox, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Apr. 2025 The Masters Adjusted Odds After Round 1 Leading favorites and contenders golf odds from FanDuel and leading online sportsbooks refresh periodically and are subject to change, including on prop bets and live betting. — Jay Ginsbach, Forbes.com, 11 Apr. 2025 Still, the Democratic contenders notched a symbolic victory when Valimont carried Escambia County — a longtime GOP stronghold in presidential elections — a rare blue dot in the ruby-red district. — Fin Daniel Gómez, CBS News, 2 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for contender
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contender
  1. candidate
  2. competitor
  3. contestant
  4. rival
Noun
  • Auburn, a team that can blow through the NCAA Tournament and earn the first national championship in its history or a chaotic meltdown candidate?
    — Joe Rexrode, The Athletic, 15 Mar. 2025
  • Andrews is also in the last year of his contract, and at 29 years old, would be an intriguing tight end trade candidate for many teams looking for a veteran to help out their young quarterback.
    — Mark Davis, Newsweek, 15 Mar. 2025
Definition of candidate
Noun
  • Among users of listings apps, Zillow commands 64% of all traffic, more than four times its closest competitor, Realtor.com.
    — Andrea Riquier, USA Today, 14 Apr. 2025
  • Lawyers for Meta told a federal judge on Monday that the social media company founded by billionaire Mark Zuckerberg is not a monopoly, countering a landmark lawsuit brought against it by the Federal Trade Commission accusing the tech giant of gobbling up its competitors to corner the market.
    — Beatrice Peterson, ABC News, 14 Apr. 2025
Definition of competitor
Noun
  • Masked contestants in Season 13 include Honey Pot, Space Ranger, Cherry Blossom, Coral, Fuzzy Peas, Ant, Paparazzo, Griffin, Boogie Woogie, Pearl, Bat, Yorkie, Stud Muffin, Nessy and Mad Scientist Monster.
    — Michael Schneider, Variety, 17 Apr. 2025
  • One of Hudson's competitors will be trans model Isabelle St. Cyr. St. Cyr will be the first openly trans contestant in the pageant's history after previously winning the local Miss Monson USA pageant in the Maine town of Monson.
    — Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 16 Apr. 2025
Definition of contestant
Noun
  • In at least one case, the governor has viewed an open presidential post as an opportunity to move a rival out of Tallahassee.
    — Ana Ceballos, Miami Herald, 9 Apr. 2025
  • Unlike last year, Fox Corp. has no immediate Super Bowl broadcast to help buoy sales, and, like its media rivals, faces market uncertainties due to the Trump administration’s current efforts to levy tariffs.
    — Brian Steinberg, Variety, 9 Apr. 2025
Definition of rival

Browse Nearby Words

contended (with)
contender
contenders
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Cite this Entry

“Contender.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contender. Accessed 21 Apr. 2025.

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Nglish: Translation of contender for Spanish Speakers

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